Utah School District Steps Up Security

According to district spokesperson Caleb Price, the new classroom door locks are one of the most noticeable changes. The locks let teachers lock their classroom doors with a key from the inside of the room as opposed to the outside, which helps prevent intruders from entering the room.

By Jessica Davis

February 04, 2019

The Provo City School District is installing new safety and security features to protect their students from dangerous situations.

According to district spokesperson Caleb Price, the new classroom door locks are one of the most noticeable changes. The locks let teachers lock their classroom doors with a key from the inside of the room as opposed to the outside, which helps prevent intruders from entering the room.

"That gives the teacher the ability to keep their classroom really safe and locked up, and no one can get in it," said Harmony Kartchner, Edgemont Elementary School Facilitator.

Price said the district has added ballistic film to the glass doors to protect the doors from impact. All exterior doors are now locked and only accessible via key fob. The only exterior door that isn’t locked is the front door, and even then the main doors take visitors directly into the front office.

"It's impossible to get into the school without having to go through that main entrance," Price said.

The newer schools in the district have these features at the main entrance and they plan to retrofit the older schools as well.

The district has also installed security cameras and increased drills and training. Price said counselors work with students to identify problems and “work to address those before it leads to something possibly more drastic or more violent.”